DeweyAcademy

=The Dewey Academy Dilemma= You are teachers in a small urban storefront school named Dewey Academy. It's a charter school with a vision: to use technology to bring out the best in kids who come from low income backgrounds. The school has been operating for 2 years now with a combined 7th and 8th grade and has been making modest gains in student test scores while also keeping to its goal of developing the things that don't show up on standardized tests: problem-solving skills, creativity, self-confidence and the ability to collaborate.

The news from the district this week, though, is dire. Plans to expand the school next year are on hold. Thanks to upcoming cuts in funding, the staff has to be cut by one position. As a charter school, you are not forced to make cuts based on seniority, and as a school with decision making distributed among the entire staff, the choice is up to you.

Fortunately, the staff has both the skill and credentials to cover other subjects than the ones they currently teach, but that choice will still be difficult.


 * Amy King** - 56 years old. A seasoned teacher of English and music. One of the most creative in terms of incorporating online resources into her class. A strict grader who emphasizes writing skills, spelling and punctuation.


 * Ben Foley** - 30 years old. Funny, extraverted teacher of history and study skills. Uses his computer to project to the SmartBoard but doesn't assign much online work to his kids.


 * Carlos Esquivel** - 26 years old. Teaches science and Spanish. Popular with all the kids and has a special affinity with the Latinos. Not always a team player with the other staff. You have begun to use Spanish web sites as a source of authentic reading for your students, and have just established an epal relationship with a class in Guadalajara. Not using technology much in Science yet but willing to learn.


 * Darla Moore** - 22 years old. First year teacher. Teaches the technology class in the laptop lab. A whiz at tool software and Web 2.0 applications. Was hired to help the other teachers master new tricks but her teaching responsibilities have prevented her from doing much of that.


 * Emily Moretti**. 34 years old. An enthusiastic proponent of problem-based learning and teacher of math and PE. Sole supporter of a new baby that spends the day with her retired parents.

You have 20 minutes to discuss this, make a case for yourself and arrive at consensus on whom to cut.